For decades, the Maldives has stood out as the undisputed champion of pristine white sand, sparkling turquoise water, and over-water luxury accommodation. But a new destination is rapidly claiming the crown, offering the same breathtaking natural beauty of the Indian Ocean, with a powerful infusion of culture, spice and adventure: Zanzibar.
This semi-autonomous Tanzanian archipelago, perched in the breathtaking Indian Ocean, delivers everything that the modern traveler craves. It’s the ultimate spice island escape, and once you see the resorts lining its stunning coastline, you’ll understand why Zanzibar is the world’s next must-visit luxury destination.
But what makes Zanzibar the rightful successor to the Maldives’ throne? Well, it offers a richer, more diverse experience, combining the relaxing beach holiday that you deserve with a genuinely enriching cultural and culinary adventure that literally tick all of my boxes for body, mind and soul reset and exploration.
Having previously holidayed in the Maldives on a private island, I’ve been keen to also explore the more natural, organic and cultured aspect of the mainland. As such, we began researching for our next holiday destination with a focus upon culture and community, and that’s how I discovered the beautiful island of Zanzibar, just off of the East African coast of Tanzania.
Exploring The Jewel Of The Northeast
I chose the 5-star Kiwengwa Beach Resort because it’s situated on the idyllic northeast coast, just a 40-minute drive from the historic capital, Stone Town, making it the perfect base for both relaxation and exploration. This venue has mastered the art of combining luxury, nature, and adventure all in one for the ultimate Indian Ocean getaway that ticks all of my boxes as a health-conscious and active explorer.
Location, Luxury & Relaxation
I decided to pick a venue with a focus on high standards of hospitality and service without feeling like yet another hotel room in the city at home or Europe. Its location on the powder-white sands of Kiwengwa Beach ensures that I had immediate access to the postcard-perfect views of the beach with the luxury of privacy and exclusivity should I wish to relax in the room, balcony, pool or spa.
The rooms are beautifully designed to offer the perfect balance of comfort, elegance, and convenience, whilst making each personal sanctuary as beautiful as the island itself. I’ve had an overdose of ultra modern, clinical and stark, and my soul has been craving heartfelt, handmade and authentic. The resort does not disappoint!
Featuring multiple pools and bars with crystal-clear waters and serene surroundings, their all-inclusive offering is the perfect place to bask in tranquility and enjoy a chilled cocktail or mocktail in paradise.
A Culinary World Tour
As a keen foodie, a big plus point for me was their exceptional dining journey through the diverse restaurants. Rather than repetitive resort buffets, Kiwengwa Beach Resort takes dining seriously, with a world of flavours from the freshest Indian Ocean seafood to Swahili-inspired cuisine, making every meal an adventure in itself, regardless of your diet or lifestyle.
Being vegan, gluten-free and dairy-intolerant, I know how difficult it can be to find suitable meals whilst travelling the world or even commuting at home. So I always pick a venue with exceptional dining options available, as chefs are able to hand-prepare specific dietary requirements without the risk of cross-contamination or confusion.
Each morning I was greeted by gluten-free porridge and fresh fruit, lunchtime lentils, rice and pulses, fresh gluten-free pasta and soups, even handmade gluten-free biscuits for my coffee. The service was absolutely outstanding, the food so fresh and delicious and my dietary requirements a celebration rather than a chore. In a country that thrives on seafood dishes and glorious cuts of meat, I felt entirely at home and comfortable as a vegan, and loved exploring the various cuisines, live music and entertainment accompanying each dish throughout the week.
Enjoying The Complete Zanzibar Experience
With many holiday destinations aiming to keep you strictly resort-bound, as the pool or bar become the main highlight of a holiday, Kiwengwa actively encourages ocean exploration, which I love. They offer a fantastic array of water sports activities, excursions and adventures in-house, allowing you to dive into the serene Indian Ocean whenever the fancy takes you.
The Ocean Blue office is situation just besides the reception desk, allowing you to conveniently pop in and speak to the knowledgable staff whenever you feel ready for adventure. I always do my research online before booking a holiday, to see all activities and highlights available in the local area, as well as checking price-points, so that I can leave it to a day-by-day approach to book in when I’ve arrived, exploring as and when I feel like it.
Seeing as I’d just escaped the chaos of post-Christmas England, stranded at home from heavy snowfall, with two poorly children off of school, I wasn’t sure if I’d need an entire week around the pool to rest and recover, or if I’d be hiking and swimming the very second that my plane touched down. Having the flexibility to decide when you feel most able to, as opposed to booking excursions weeks in advance or upon check-in, allowed me to flow with my holiday and take each day as it came.
On the flight over, I daydreamed of snorkelling, diving the coral reefs, and sailing the stunning coastline, as the opportunities for water bound adventures are literally endless in Zanzibar. But an unforeseen 9hr flight delay in Ethiopia literally wiped out the entire first day of my stay, so fortunately I was able to have a rest day upon my eventual arrival and catch up on sleep.
Unfortunately a passenger was taken ill in London, and eventually offloaded from the plane which caused a 2hr delay upon takeoff, which meant that I landed in Ethiopia at the same time that my connecting flight was also taking off. With the only other available flight that day being 7hrs later, airport lounge access made the inconvenience slightly less of a blow, but travel delays are to be expected when taking multiple flights across continents. In hindsight, it may be better to book a stop-over between countries and spend a weekend sight seeing en route where possible to mitigate risk. However, the return flights thankfully went without a hitch via Oman; it’s simply the luck of the draw!
Why Excursions Are The Heartbeat Of A Truly Great Holiday
There is such delightful comfort in a resort sun lounger. The bliss of a sparkling blue pool, the endless supply of fresh towels, chilled drinks and exotic music can easily lull you into a state of blissful inertia. And sometimes, that is exactly what you need.
But a truly transformative holiday, the kind that lingers in your memory long after the tan has faded, requires stepping outside of the hotel gates and immersing yourself in the culture and landscape of foreign lands. It requires trading the predictable for the spontaneous, and modern comforts for new traditions, unconditional adventure and epic discoveries.
The real magic of a destination awaits you at the end of a dusty red track, beneath the canopy of an ancient forest, or submerged in iridescent turquoise waters. Excursions are therefore not just add-ons to your trip; they are the heartbeat of the entire experience. They are the bridge connecting us from being a mere tourist to becoming a temporary local, an explorer, and an overseas adventurer.
When visiting the stunning archipelago of Zanzibar and the mainland giants of Tanzania, the opportunities for adventure and memory-making are limitless. To truly unlock these treasures, it’s imperative to find a guide who knows the terrain intimately and brings its history and traditions to life. Partnered with Ocean Blue Holidays, premier experts in Tanzanian adventures, Kiwengwa Beach Resort gloriously showcases why leaving the poolside is the best decision you’ll make on your holiday, and exactly what awaits you when you do.
I wanted to share with you a taste of the incredible tapestry of experiences that you too can weave into your next holiday in Zanzibar, and hope that you find my own experiences as uplifting and exciting as I did.
A Fun-Fuelled Adrenaline Rush: An Island Quad Bike Tour
There is no better way to shake off the jetlag than with a surge of horsepower on four wheels. This quad bike tour isn’t just about speed; but about access. Ocean Blue’s guided tour takes you off the beaten tarmac and onto the red-earthern tracks that vein through the island, through expansive farming fields, lush greenery, hand-built villages and bustling roads.
Something that really touched my heart about this tour, is how invested Ocean Blue are in connecting tourism to activism. It’s great fun to experience the roar of the bikes as you navigate through rural villages and communities, passing through fragrant plantations where the air is thick with the scent of cloves and vanilla. Dusty, loud and exhilarating, it is such an authentic way to see the backbone of island life that standard bus tours completely miss from the main road.
But the true beauty of this tour, for me, came from the ability to understand and meet the local community. As men and fathers work long days in the fields, mothers and children cook, clean, wash and keep the villages alive. From children playing football, to washing clothes in the river, hens and ducks seeking shelter from the beaming sun beneath historic trees, and homes being lovingly constructed; our wonderful guide took us into the heart of the village to experience island life first hand.
Meeting business owners, we were able to understand the most important needs and necessities of island life, as tourists are encouraged to purchase gifts and goods for the mothers and children to support local business. From rice and washing powder, to soft drinks, snacks and biscuits, we loaded up our quad bikes as our whistle-stop tour took us between villages and communities to bestow our gifts.
Riding in convoy, the children cheerfully ran from their homes the moment that they heard us, waving, smiling, singing and dancing with gleee. Spending Christmas day with my children just a matter of hours beforehand, I became instantly mindful of the vast difference between the Western world and the beautiful children of Africa. A little girl, no older than six, cheerfully tossed a sock filled with mud about, in place of a ball. Barefoot, slender and without a manufactured single toy, she happily played with the other children with patience and kindness. No snatching, tantrums or selfishness to possess the only “ball” in the village.
My heart swelled at the sight of the children having so very little, yet being so incredibly respectful and thankful for the love and patience that they showed each other. How do children have so much in the West, yet always complain about being bored, constantly wanting the newest toy or latest craze, when in Africa happiness is overflowing without any material possessions, screens or adverts.
The children politely and cheerfully jumped into formation, lining up as if in school assembly, in anticipation of gifts and offerings from our quad tour. We were advised that we could bring toys, stationary and useful items for the villagers, however, as I had cash it seemed the best option to purchase from the local store to buy the mothers and children what they needed most.
Handing our drinks, biscuits, footballs and rice to the community, a tear came to my eye as women used their neck scarves as makeshift contains for a scoop of rice, and children allowed the littlest ones to stand at the front to not miss their turn. The most loveliest women invited us into their home, where our tour guide explained how each mother can have up to ten children, in a two-room home, with many not having a roof. There is no running water or electricity, food is cooked over an open fire, and the walls are made from mud and sticks from the ground.
Touring the community, we stopped at various points where water stations were donated, schools were funded and a local store stocked essentials for survival, as opposed to the gifts and treats that we come to expect as standard in our villages in England. There was nothing unnecessary or wasteful, every scrap, morsel and grain is used, utilised and recycled, and every villager is known, loved and supported by one another. The true spirit of community flourished before our eyes, as family becomes the backbone of society, and even with so little, each villager feels plentifully blessed for being a part of the whole.
It feels an entire world away to stand on the underground of London in complete silence, not so much as making eye contact with a stranger opposite on the silent, crowded commute, when here in Africa laughter, love and selflessness fills the air. Bright colours, music, generosity and unconditional love bring the community to life, as nobody locks their doors, everyone is equal, and children hugs and kiss the babies as mothers wash leaves and prepare meals. It’s beautiful.
I may have arrived on the quad tour hoping to catch a small glimpse of local life along the trail, but I left having made friends with such inspiring women, adorable children and a renewed sense of humanity and humility. I am so incredibly thankful for the work that Ocean Blue do to bring tourism into the local communities, educating and informing holidaymakers of the realities of an entirely different way of life. If only the rest of the world could take heed and open their hearts and mind; the synergy between tourism and activism can be so incredibly beneficial for all.
We met so many other couples on our tour, from all over the world, with riders deciding to take a solo quad to be the driver, or share a quad with their partner and take turns as the passenger. Sharing our quad gave us the perfect opportunity to capture pictures and videos as we rode, like bringing a racing game to life with over-the-shoulder footage and point-of-view snaps of the beautiful countryside and trail.
For thrill seekers, I highly recommend hopping into the driving seat and seeing the island first-hand. Quad bikes are incredibly easy to use, whether you’re a driver or not, there is simply one control to go forwards and another to brake. The handling of the quads is smooth and comfortable, with the excitement of bouncing over tree roots, splashing through streams and navigating the inclines and declines of the farms. For those looking to experience a rich and extensive culture, the community aspect of this tour fed my soul. A truly life-changing experience that I’m blessed to have been a part of, and will stay with me forever.
The Magnificent Jozani Forest, Mangrove Swamp & Inquisitive Monkeys
I’ve seen thousands of holiday snaps on my social media feed of people playing with monkeys and tigers in Thailand, but I’ve never been up close and personal with either. I was incredibly excited to hear that Zanzibar is famous for its monkeys, and when we had a quiet afternoon in the diary, I couldn’t resist booking in for an excusrion to the Jozani Forest. Just a short drive from the resort, the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is the last sanctuary of the indigenous groundwater forest that once covered Zanzibar.
It was fascinating to see the large expanse of coral across the forest floor, which was once the bottom of a vibrant seabed. The rare Zanzibar Red Colobus monkeys live in harmony with their larger blue counterparts. Found nowhere else on Earth, these expressive and beautiful creatures are surprisingly relaxed around human visitors, and unlike in other countries, they do not scratch, steal or attack tourists.
Walking the forest trails with our tour guide, we discovered the rich history of the forest, as he led us on a journey of discovery, pointing out the humongous plants, ancient trees, fruits, flowers and wildlife that we came across on the way. It felt like we’d stepped into the movie Jurassic Park, as stunning foliage and breathtaking trees towered high above us, reaching up to the sun. Playing in the mahogany trees, just inches from us, the monkeys are so peaceful and at ease, entirely unbothered by human visitors.
Whilst we were not allowed to touch the monkeys ourselves, they are allowed to come up to you and interact as they wish, with the cheerful supervision of the tour guide. It made for such a truly humbling encounter with such rare wildlife, where mothers walked their babies besides us, and the elders called out to the tribe as they foraged for food, sunbathed and played all around us.
There were plenty of opportunity to take photos and videos up close with the monkeys, as they playfully swung from tree to tree, bouncing like kangaroos across the forest floor and calling to one another as our guide explained that it was their meal time and they would be tracking across the treetops to find their favourite spot to rest in the sun with full tummies. It was such a fun and peaceful experience that I highly recommend for all nature and animal lovers alike.
To peek through huge palm leaves, beneath the forest canopy, greeted by beautiful plants and flowers at every turn, and the excitement of spotting a playful monkey which soon becomes two monkeys, several and then a dozen in seconds. We were welcomed into their world, as time stood still around us, able to experience the beauty of Mother Nature up close and personal. It was so wonderfully precious.
Our forest tour concluded with a walk through the wooden pathway that weaved directly through the black soil of the swamp with such magnificent exposed tree roots and towering trunks of the Mangrove trees.
The mangrove forests are a vital component of the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park ecosystem, with the salt-tolerant trees acting as the bridge between the island’s lush groundwater forests and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Home to a variety of different species of mangroves, these highly specialised red, black, white and yellow trees have adapted to live in the harsh, salty intertidal zone with roots that rise out of the ground like spiders, popping up from the striking black ground.
The dense, interlocking matrix of the Mangrove tress trap sediment to prevent coastal erosion, acting as a natural shock absorber to break the energy of waves before causing damage the inland groundwater forests and local villages. Their tangled roots provide a safe haven for young marine life, where small fish, crabs and prawns nestle, and fallen leaves create a nutrient-rich feed for the surrounding coral reefs, keeping the entire ocean ecosystem healthy.
Mangroves are also climate change champions, capable of storing up to 10 times more carbon than terrestrial forests of the same size. Fascinatingly they trap organic matter in the oxygen-poor mud beneath their roots, preventing carbon from entering the atmosphere for centuries at a time.
An Ocean Playground: Snorkelling, Sandbanks & Dolphins
Zanzibar’s hidden glory lies off of its coastline, where the Indian Ocean paints the most breathtaking shade of blue that you’ve only ever dreamed possible. Specialising in aquatic adventures, Ocean Blue has every imaginable ocean adventure covered to immerse you in crystal clear waters and make memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Heading out in the early morning light, we had the pleasure of sailing into the vast blue waters to discover pods of dolphins joyfully playing in the waves. Menai Bay is famous for its resident populations of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose and the rarer Indian Ocean Humpback dolphins which are frequently seen playing near the surface or traditional dhows. Slipping into the water to observe these intelligent creatures in their natural habitat is undoubtedly a bucket-list moment for many, which can be enjoyed both above or below the water, whether you’re a keen swimmer or sun worshiper alike.
With flippers, a snorkel and life jacket should you need it, a day spent at sea with a waterproof phone case is always such a wonderful way to enjoy a holiday and seek out adventure. Snacking on juicy fresh island fruits that taste of sunshine, and chilled bottled water, our tour guide expertly tracked the dolphins whilst keeping a mindful distance to encourage respectful interactions, without disturbing the pods.
It was incredible to see the dolphins dive in and out of the water, free from pools, cages or containment in zoos or aquariums. Swimming carefree in the ocean, between boats and tourists, before disappearing to the sea bed, as with any ocean adventure, the expanse is so vast, and whilst it’s not possible to guarantee that you will see dolphins, the expert guides work closely with one another to update and track the pods as they navigate the waters. We had several dolphin sightings, much to the glee of the children onboard, before sailing to the reef to snorkel amongst the corals.
The corals of Zanzibar, particularly within the Menai Bay Conservation Area (MBCA), are part of one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in East Africa. Menai Bay is Zanzibar’s largest marine protected area, covering roughly 470 square kilometres of turquoise water, uninhabited islands, and ancient coral reefs that grow close to the shore.
The stunning underwater landscape is a mix of hard and soft corals that create a complex living architecture. The massive brain corals, branching acropora and table corals nestle amongst deeper or more shaded areas of vibrant sea fans and soft corals which sway with the current. And whilst coral reefs globally face challenges from warming seas, the Menai Bay reefs are known for their resilience with destructive fishing practices having been banned for decades, allowing the coral to thrive and provide a nursery for hundreds of species of fish.
You’re also likely to spot green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles gliding through the water or resting among the seagrass, along with the high-traffic areas of tropical fish. The parrotfish are so brightly coloured, whilst the clownfish – from Finding Nemo – like to snooze amongst the anemones. The angelfish and butterflyfish have the most stunning colours of electric blue and yellow as lionfish with their dramatic spines, and blue-spotted ray tuck themselves under the seabed.
And if you look closely, you may also spot octopuses camouflaged, sea slugs and starfish. Our tour guide dove down to the sea bed to pick up a selection of starfish, allowing us the opportunity to hold and take pictures with them, in a variety of colours with bright red bobbles and suckers that ventured out of the body searching for food.
Sailing on a hand-carved wooden dhow boat, we stopped at a sandbank which had gloriously risen from the middle of the ocean during low tide, where the softest pristine white sand emerged from crystal clear waters. It felt like a scene from a James Bond movie as our boat glided silently to the shoreline and eager toes splashed into the warm waters, as families ran across the impossibly smooth sandbank, snapping photos and capturing such breathtaking shots of paradise.
In a world where everything is chaotic and overcrowded, how sensational it is to lose all track of time, step where land is entirely unspoilt and immerse yourself in nature. The lapping of the ocean waves, the endless blue skies and comforting warmth of the sun is the hug that my soul so very desperately needed on a very welcome winter retreat. It’s a sight that will always leave me grinning from ear to ear at the very thought of it. A true must-see should you happen to find yourself in the Indian Ocean.
Island Market Shopping
Holiday wouldn’t quite feel like holiday without a spot of shopping and finding the perfect gifts and keepsakes for loved ones back home. They say that you haven’t experienced a culture until you’ve traded in its markets, and stepping away from sanitised hotel gift shops and into a local market is a sensory overload in the best possible way.
A vibrant chaos of windswept clothing carried by the breeze, tinkering wind chimes, handmade bowls, animal carvings, masks and jewellery. Beautiful canvases adorned with every colour of the rainbow depicting animals, dancing and the heart of African culture. The tour guides help you to navigate stalls overflowing with colourful Kangas, traditional fabrics, carved wooden artefacts and pyramids of aromatic spices. It’s also the perfect place to practice your haggling skills, chat with local artisans and find a souvenir to take home that that carries a real story and meaning.
Nestled beneath a 500yr old Baobab tree, the Kwale Island market was such a wonderful experience. I had the honour of meeting so many small family businesses who pour their heart and soul into creating such sensational works of art, trinkets and keepsakes that no proudly adorn my home. To know that each piece is uniquely one-of-a-kind, supporting sustainability and slow fashion warms my heart, it has purpose, passion and beauty that simply cannot be replicated or replaced.
I highly recommend visiting with a partially empty suitcase in preparation for all of the beautiful finds that you’ll want to take home with you. From handmade jewellery so intricately beaded, to carved safari animals and local artist canvases. I also treated myself to a dress, traditional scarf and personalised gifts for my children.
Each market stall owner is so incredibly polite, welcoming and kind without pushing for a hard sale or making you feel like you’re being watched like a hawk if you touch anything. It was so refreshing to have such a respectful and relaxed shopping interaction, which doesn’t always feel so calm in Europe, with the phrase Hakuna Matata being joyfully exchanged should you not wish to buy anything – meaning no worries, it’s ok.
Because it was such a fun experience I found myself buying everything as opposed to moving past quickly or feeling overwhelmed. The beautiful sights, sounds, colours and island vibe of relaxing, taking your time and enjoying what you’re doing is so contagious. Before I knew it, I had several recycled bags on my wrists, with lovingly paper-wrapped gifts ready to pop into my suitcase.
Accepting cash and card alike, I paid with a variety of American dollars and contactless card payments for which a commission fee is added for each minimum card purchase. The market stall owners love haggling and offering deals if you buy more than one item, and the prices are far cheaper than in England with such beautiful craftsmanship and difference made to the small family businesses that they support. A wonderful experience, well worth the journey with a cup of coffee, fresh juice and chilled fruit to soak up the views on the beach before the dhow departs back to the mainland.
The Experience Of A Lifetime: A Wildnerness Safari At Mikumi National Park
For those holidaying in Zanzibar, the continent of Africa is just a short hop away on a small plane. If you have the time to spare, a mainland safari is the ultimate excursion and experience of a lifetime. Ocean Blue facilitated our incredible trip to Mikumi National Park, which is lovingly called “Little Serengeti” due to its rich wildlife concentrations.
Swapping the beach for the bush, our plane touched down on a private airstrip during torrential rain as we cheerfully boarded a 4×4 jeep to traverse the vast savannah. With roll-down sides to keep out the rain, or expose uninterrupted panoramic views of the wilderness, we started our morning wet and wild before the clouds parted, the sun came out and endless blue skies kissed the land. A little taste of the rains of England, it was so warm and refreshing to feel the rain on my skin before safely nestling in the waterproof jeep and setting off on tour to discover Africas ‘Big Five.’
The first rule of safari is to leep your cameras at the ready for elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions and buffalo congregating around waterholes, basking in the sunshine and roaming thousands of acres of their natural habitat. Expert trackers, the tour guides know exactly where to look to find flocks and herds, explaining every aspect of their lifespan from their diet to mating preferences, hibernation and pastimes. Witnessing the scale of Africa’s wilderness is a profound experience that recalibrates your perspective on the natural world without even realising.
And whilst the tour guides very reasonably reminded us that we are in nature, in the world of the animal kingdom with no lines, fences or containment, the animals could be anywhere. There is no guarantee that you will see what you are so desperately looking for, as you tick off the big five, but with a glint in their eye and smile as broad as the horizon, each tour guide knows precisely where to look and the habits and behaviours of the herds across varying times of day in order to have the best chance to spot them.
We managed to see every animal upon our safari, with none evading us, and were told that we were very lucky to have done so. To have seen just one of the big five would have made the journey totally worth it, but capturing them all, so close up and at ease in their natural habitat was awe-inspiring. Whether you take pictures, videos or selfies, it’s a truly unforgettable experience that I’ve triumphantly ticked off of my bucket list now and highly recommend to all who wish to experience Mother Nature in her most breathtaking form.
The heart of Mikumi is a vast, open grassland which provides incredible visibility, making it one of the most reliable places in Tanzania for wildlife sightings all year-round. While rhinos are absent from the park, you have excellent chances of seeing the other four members of the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo and leopards. We had the blessing of seeing many lion cubs, zebras, antelope and birds, and the excitement of spotting the hippos submerging in the water pools, grunting, yawning and wiggling their ears.
The hippo pools are surrounded by an ever-changing cast of water birds which include hamerkops, cattle egrets, and malachite kingfishers, as well as crocodiles basking on the muddy banks, allowing you to travel on foot, away from the 4×4. Large herds of elephants frequent the Mkata river and are often seen using their immense strength to shake the tamarind trees, causing the sweet fruit to fall.
The local Mikumi giraffe have a slightly darker, more distinct pattern than those found in the north of Africa, walking peacefully amongst the ancient baobab and tamarind trees. It’s also the perfect destination to see the eland, which is the worlds largest antelope, as well as the rare sable antelope and African wild dogs. And with over 400 species of birds, the park is a kaleidoscope of colour and birdwatchers paradise. So be on the lookout for the lilac-breasted roller which is considered to be the most beautiful bird in Africa, along with the African fish eagle, and various species of storks and hornbills.
I’ll Be Seeing You At Sunrise…
With the intention to take just a few excursions during our stay, our initial three adventures turned into five with a domestic flight included, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! We have a lifetime to sleep, lay by the pool and unwind, but a day out exploring, adventuring and making memories is absolutely priceless.
With temperatures tickling above thirty degrees in January, we were fortunate to have a lovely balmy breeze which allowed us to be out and about all day without burning or feeling uncomfortable, which was perfect considering we came from England in the winter with absolutely no preparatory tan.
And when we think of a hotel room as just a place to sleep, from the netted wooden carved bed to the hand laid mosaics, macrame art and stunning paintings, our room was a glorious taste of Africa. From sunrise to sunset we crammed everything into our getaway, squeezing every last drop of adventure and culture out of our daytimes, and celebrating every balmy evening by moonlit beach walks, memorable dinners and beautiful live music. Walking through the perfectly manicured gardens, between thatched bungalows and pool bars, to the gift shops, gym, spa and hot tubs, it was a feast for the senses and perfect summer getaway.
The exciting part is, your next holiday is already out there waiting for you. You simply have to chalk up your bucket list and hit “book now”. Whether you’re covered in the red dust of a quad bike trail or salty from a swim in the deep blue, these are the moments that truly define life. I cannot recommend our resort and tour operators more highly, as they made our holiday everything it was and then some.
I hope in sharing our experience of Zanzibar, the beautiful island and all that it has to offer, has ignited your passion for travel. We have such beautiful memories to look back upon, and lovely moments to share with our friends and family as we explain their gifts and trinkets, where we travelled to to find them and how lovingly they were made.
A picture may paint a thousand words, but every second in paradise stays with the soul for a lifetime. What a blessing it was to experience Africa in such a sensational way. Now, where’s next on the list? We’re open to your tips and recommendations!
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